1551 Woodcut Leaves Andrea Doria Dragut Events of 1550

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1551 Chronicle of 1550 Events from "La Mer des Hystoires"
By Jean le Gendre
The Peace of Boulogne, Andrea Doria, Turgut Reis, Henry II, Executions in Paris
Two leaves (lxxx, lxxxi)

Single authentic woodcut leaf from "Rudimentum Novitiorum - La Mer des Hystoires", French edition by Jean le Gendre, 1551 Paris, en la rue Saint-Jacques, par Oudin Petit Dedicated to Catherine d' Medici, Queen of France.

The encyclopedic world history structured on medieval theology, Rudimentum Novitiorum, became better known through French translations under the title "La Mer des Hystoires". Rudimentum Novitiorum was first printed in Lübeck by Lucas (Lukas) Brandis in 1475. The were several sixteenth-century editions of the "La Mer des Hystoires" (printed in Lyon and Paris). In short, the Rudimentum was a comprehensive history of the world derived from the Bible, the Church Fathers, pagan mythology and compilations such as that of Vincent of Beauvais, offering the basics of historical knowledge to young clerics.

These two authentic woodcut leaves from the late edition of "La Mer des Hystoires" are devoted to the events of 1550. The year ("An de Iesuchrist 1550") is printed in upper margin, together with the corresponding year since creation, 5511 ("An du monde 5511"; Martin Luther dated creation to 3961 B.C.) Each major section (here: the section on Andrea Doria) begins with a decorative woodcut initial.

Leaf lxxx describes the Peace of Boulogne between England and France. Under its terms England withdrew from Scotland, France also regained Boulogne in return for an indemnity. Thereafter follow several notes on executions in Paris (e.g., that of a rich merchant who falsified obligations) and a comment devoted to the death of John, Cardinal of Lorraine (May 18, 1550) who was succeeded by Charles of Lorraine-Guise.

A longer section deals with Andrea Doria and Dragut. Andrea Doria (1466 - 1560) was a Genoese condottiere and admiral who entered the service of Emperor Charles V in 1528. Turgut Reis (1485 - 1565) was a Ottoman admiral as well as Bey of Algiers. Known in different languages under such names as Dragut or Darghouth. The leaf refers to him as "Dragoman". In May 1550 he assaulted the ports of Sardinia and Spain and landed on their coasts with a force of six galleys and 14 galliots. Still in May he unsuccessfully tried to capture Bonifacio in Corsica. On his way back to Tunisia, he stopped at Gozo to replenish his ships with water and to gather information on the activities of the Maltese Knights. He later sailed towards Liguria. In June 1550, while Turgut Reis was sailing near Genoa, Andrea Doria and Bailiff Claude de la Sengle of the Maltese Knights ("chevaliers de Rhodes") attacked Mahdia in Tunisia. In the meantime, Turgut Reis was busy assaulting and sacking Rapallo for a third time, before raiding the coasts of Spain. He then sailed to the Tyrrhenian Sea and towards the beginning of July landed at the western shores of Sardinia, before returning to Djerba, where he learned that Doria and Claude de la Sengle had been attacking Mahdia and Tunis. He collected a force of 4500 troops and 60 sipahis and marched on Mahdia to assist the local resistance. He did not succeed and returned to Djerba with his troops. In September 1550 Mahdia surrendered to the joint Spanish-Sicilian-Maltese force. In the meantime, Turgut Reis was repairing his ships at the beach of Djerba. On October, Andrea Doria appeared with his fleet at Djerba and blocked the entrance of the island's lagoon with his ships, trapping the beached galleys of Turgut Reis inside the Channel of Cantera. Turgut Reis had all his ships dragged overland through hastily dug canals and on a heavily greased boardway to the other side of the island and sailed to Istanbul.

The last section of leaf lxxxi talks about Henry II of France. His reign was marked by wars with Austria, and the persecution of the Protestant Huguenots. There is a section describing his entry to Rouen, Dieppe, Chartres, and Blois. See scans for more details; click image to view larger version.

Pages measure 8.2 x 12.9 inches. Wide margins suitable for framing. Printed on good quality laid paper. The leaves are in good/very good condition. Imperfections: age toning. This is a rare and exceptionally interesting historical document which will look great with a mat and frame.

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